Connecticut Library Association

Executive Board Meeting

November 2, 2006

Connecticut Convention Center – Hartford

 

I.                    The meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m. by President Barbara Bailey.

 

II.                 Board Introductions: Members of the Board introduced themselves.

 

III.               Public Comments/Notes from CLA Office:

 

(a)    CT Book Awards – Kat Lyons reported that the Connecticut Book Awards will be presented Sunday, December 3rd at Hartford City Hall.  Tickets are $40 and 27 of the 28 finalists will be attending.

 

(b)   CT Book Party- Henry Dutcher reported that this fund raising event now has 5 committed sponsors: CLA, CLC, State Library, Friends of CT Libraries, and Connecticut Center for the Book. Presently they're seeking a spokesperson for the event and are looking for site captains and site drop-offs in the following areas: Litchfield, Fairfield, and Willimantic.

 

(c)    PEG- Peter Ciparelli read a card of thanks from Nancy Strong who, with some financial assistance from PEG, worked with libraries in Kenya.

 

(d)   CLA Office- Pam Najerian informed the Board that the office received a box of clinical trials educational materials from the National Cancer Institute for anyone interested in taking it. She also reported that October 19, CLA mailed 261 reminder notices for membership renewal.

 

IV.              Additions to Agenda:

 

(a)    Minimum Salary Guideline- Alice Knapp presented a proposed a 3%  minimum salary increase bringing the hourly rate for MLS positions to $24.55/hour; $44,681 for 35/hour week; $47,873 for 37.5/hour week; $51,064 for a 40/hour week.  See Votes Taken.

 

(b)   Freedom to Read Foundation- Barbara Bailey reported that CLA budgets funding for the Freedom to Read Foundation and has received its $500 pledge to fulfills Votes Taken.

 

V.                 Votes Taken:

 

Alice Knapp moved that CLA increases the minimum salary guideline by 3% as outlined above.  Peter Ciparelli seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously.\

 

Ted Wilmot moved that CLA fulfill its $500 pledge to Freedom to Read Foundation.  Mary Etter seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Betsy Bray moved that CLA approve the proposed 2008 Legislative Agenda presented by the Legislative Committee (see Legislative Report).  Barbara Bailey seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

 

Mary Etter moved that CLA transfer $4,000 from its Investment Account to its checking account for use for educational purposes (see Treasurer’s Report).Jane Ash seconded the motion.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Ted Wilmot moved to accept the minutes of the October 5, 2006 meeting.  Peter Ciparelli seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

 

VI.              Treasurer’s Report: Jan Fisher distributed her written report which includes $40,000 dues income.  She also informed the Board that she is moving $4,000 from the Investment account to the CLA checking account for Educational Purposes as previously budgeted. See Votes Taken.

 

VII.            President’s Report:  Barbara Bailey asked and the Board agreed that they would like to have a holiday brunch celebration at the December Board Meeting. She reported that the CLA blog is being set up by Web Master Kirsten Kilbourn.  It will have added links to Past President Alice Knapp and VP/President Elect, Carl Antonucci.  She informed the Board that The Lt. Governor’s Book Drive has 10 libraries in the Hartford area participating by serving as drop-off locations, displaying posters, and distributing bookmarks.  The event will kick off Tuesday, November 21 at 1:45 pm at the Parkville Elementary School in Hartford.  She reported that the Hartford Courant is doing a follow-up article on libraries filtering information.  She wrote at statement opposing filtering to be published in the “Pro/Con” column.

 

VIII.         Past President: no report.

 

IX.              Vice President: no report

 

X.                 ACLB: Suzanne Lee noted that her committee will be meeting in December.

 

ADA: Sharon Brettschneider reported (for Mary Engels) that the committee is developing more resources for use on the new CLA website.  They are planning an Adaptive Technology program to present at the CLA conference and are considering a “train the trainers” workshop on ADA planning.  Her staff is working on a wiki of the results of last year’s adaptive technology survey and will work on getting information from libraries that did not respond.

CLC: Mary Etter reported that CLC is tracking InfoAnytime by looking at transcripts.  She informed the Board that she is looking to develop guidelines for investigating new services that might overlap or compete with services offered by other library groups in Connecticut She reported that she attended the NELA Conference and praised the event and its programs.

 

Awards: Ramona Harten asked that Board members contact her by December 31st with award category ideas for Conference 2007.  She said that award nomination forms will be coming out soon.

 

Business & Economic Development: Norma Holmquist reported that her committee is working on programs to present at the annual CLA conference with Section co-sponsors Reference and Adult Services, and College and University.

 

CEMA: Gayle Bogel reported that the CEMA Annual Conference is being held Sunday and Monday, November 5 and 6.

 

Children’s: Jane Ash reported that her committee was able to secure Joseph Bruchac as speaker for the pre-conference morning and afternoon workshop.  He is a Nutmeg Award winner for Skeleton Man and a nominee for this year for The Warriors.  So far the committee has 6 programs planned.  Jane reported that all checks are in for last month’s roundtable. After the donation made to Nutmeg Book Awards from their profit on behalf of CLA, revenue totaled $694.01.

 

Career Recruitment:  Debbie Herman reported that scholarship applications will also be available electronically this year.  She said that her committee has invited LTA program directors from Capital and Three Rivers Community Colleges to attend their next meeting to discuss CLA scholarships and other ways in which they may work together.  The committee is planning to present a panel discussion on “the next generation of library leaders” for the CLA conference. Currently they are working on recruits for the panel.  Debbie suggested discussion of the merger of Committee/Task Force Mentoring and Career Recruitment on an upcoming CLA agenda.

 

Conference: Cynde Bloom Lahey thanked everyone for their conference program descriptions. Mary Ann Rupert passed around a list of program requests and time slots for review.  She said the committee will be meeting in one week to determine the schedule for all conference workshops. She mentioned that the meeting will include the 2008 conference chairs, Randi Ashton Pritting, and Paula Cooke.  The site of the 2008 conference has not been determined.  MaryAnn reported that the conference parking rate will be a flat $10 per day; overnight $16.00.  She said there is no formal lunch scheduled for pre-conference, rather it will be a “lunch on your own.”

 

Connecticut State Library:  Sharon Brettschneider distributed her report that included: iCONN ads are running on NPR in the morning; the National Book Festival was held Sept. 30 in Washington, D.C. and Connecticut was represented by Mary Engels, Kat Lyons, and Linda Williams. There are still slots open for the Digitization Conference Nov. 14 and that the next round of LSTA grants have been announced.  She informed the Board that Connecticar will be asking some major changes in procedures including the change of labeling to a number-based system. CSL is offering Ccar school session to introduce libraries to the new procedures. They suggest that every library send at least one representative.  Session dates and additional information is on their website. Sharon reported that Middletown Service Center and iCONN have new phone numbers.  Watch list servs for the announcement.

 

Editorial: Carol Abatelli reported that feedback on the new CLA website has been all positive.  The committee is pleased with the results.  David Kapp reported that he is still seeking book recommendation for the December issue.  They should be sent to him by Tuesday, November 14.  David distributed a flyer and information on the CT Children’s Book Fair, Nov. 11-12 at UConn, Storrs.

 

Friends: Anita Wilson reported that Friends will present “Show Me the Money,” a fundraising workshop, at the CLA Conference.

 

Legislative: Peter Ciparelli distributed the proposed 2008 Legislative Agenda.

He indicated this was a draft, and he was looking for approval on the principal of the proposal (see Votes Taken) that included: full funding for Connecticard, $150,000 for InfoAnytime, increase iCONN funding, increase funding for Public Library Construction grants, update statutory language regarding libraries (HB 630).

 

NELA: Mary Etter noted that Connecticut was not “largely represented” at the conference in Burlington, VT. Materials from the conference will be going up on the NELA website very soon. She reported that NELA needs a Connecticut representative for its Educational Assistance Committee.

 

Publicity: Betty Anne Reiter reported on her committee’s finding regarding interest in a special license plate to honor Connecticut libraries. An email to query interest from the library community was sent via list servs. Only 42 respondents indicated an interest in purchasing a plate. A minimum of 400 pre-paid plates are needed in order to launch the program through Department of Motor Vehicles.  The committee will no longer pursue the promotion at this point in time.

 

Reference and Adult:  Gail Thompson-Allen reported that the workshop on developing successful book group programs was “wonderful” despite low attendance. She said her Section is working with Business and Economic Development and College and University on government sources on-line for the CLA conference.

 

Technical Services: Jacqueline Toce reported that her Section is working on “Authority Control” scheduled for November 16 and”Mega Data” for the CLA Conference.

 

YA: Katie Bunn updated the Board on Patrick Jones’ visit November 13th. With the help of CLA Board members, they have scheduled a speaking engagement at Ludlow High School in Fairfield, CT after his presentation in Farmington.  She thanked the Board for its assistance. The YA Section is working on developing pre-conference program including “Bridging the Gap with Books” and “Creating a Full-Service Teen Homework Center.”

 

XI.              Old Business: Mary Etter asked for CLA reimbursement for the Connecticut NELA basket her library put together.  Jan Fisher provided invitations to a going away party for Michael Golrick November 16 in Bridgeport; Barbara Bailey discussed some upcoming television, radio, and magazine appearances of the Connecticut Does, including Frontline and CBS Early Show, an ESPN radio program and a photo spread in Vanity Fair.

 

Meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

 

Attendees: Barbara Bailey, Jan Fisher, Alice Knapp, Mary Etter, Betty Anne Reiter, Kat Lyons, Debbie Herman, Linda Hawkes, Carl Abatelli, Henry Dutcher, Cynde Bloom Lahey, Mary Ann Rupert, Siobhan Grogan, Jacqueline Toce, Gayle Bogel, Ramona Harten, Gail Thompson-Allen, David Kapp, Gail Zeiba, Jane Ash, Ted Wilmot, Suzanne Lee, Sharon Brettschneider, Peter Ciparelli, Betsy Bray, Anita Wilson, Norma Holmquist, Katie Bunn, Ann Marie Naples.

 

                                                                  Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                  Pamela J. Najarian       

                                                                  Recording Secretary